By Ayokunle Ogundipe
As the leaves began to change colour here at home, a group of volunteers ranging from Quebec to Vancouver hopped continents in support of the CBA’s mandate to strengthen the rule of law in Canada and abroad.
CBA’s subject matter experts (starting at far left): Amyn Lalji, Eric David, Selina Lee-Andersen, Aiyaz Alibhai, and Robyn Trask field questions on Natural Resource Governance, alongside Kenyan counterparts (fourth from right to far right).
Through the Supporting Inclusive Resource Development East Africa Project, a 5-year international initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, CBA works closely with law societies in the East Africa region—Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The project aims to increase sustainable economic growth for East Africans. It places an emphasis on support for women through, among other routes, engaging East African law societies to advocate for reform to reflect the principles of transparency, gender sensitivity and accountability in the extractive industries.
Moses Kenyanchui, Legal Counsel, Parliament of Kenya: “The knowledge acquired was valuable and is applicable in my work, particularly in legislative drafting and legal advice to the Members of Parliament…I look forward to applying the knowledge acquired for the benefit of the most vulnerable —women, uneducated, children, the poor and persons living with disabilities— in my society.”
The 5th Module in the series of SIRD Advocates’ Training in East Africa took place between September 12 and 20 in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The training module sought to equip policy actors with knowledge of best practices and standards in natural resource governance. Through this training, participants will be able to better influence policymaking in their respective countries to reduce harms and maximize positive outcomes for women and communities affected by mining, oil and gas industries. Participants were selected from civil society, community-based agencies, government, and extractive companies.
Gladys Kanyaa Mwendwa, Senior Legal Counsel, Kitui County Assembly: “I was happy to learn that not only should the impact study of an extractive project be carried out as far as the environment is concerned, but the same should also establish how the project is likely to affect the socio-cultural set up of the affected community”
CBA volunteers were recruited from relevant legal practice areas and from across Canadian firms and institutions, including lawyers from McCarthy TĂ©trault, Miller Thomson, Municonseil Avocats, and a professional organisation representing the interests of 43,000 public school teachers.
Selina Lee-Andersen, Partner McCarthy TĂ©trault: “…I hope there are opportunities to collaborate with you in the future – I would happily drop all commitments to embark on another CBA adventure.”
CBA values the volunteerism of its membership. It depends on volunteers for international initiatives with appropriate expertise, who are able to share Canadian experiences. Over the course of 30 years, CBA has recruited over 1,000 junior and senior lawyer volunteers from across Canada in pursuit of its mission to bring valuable expertise to emerging democracies.
Ayokunle Ogundipe is Program Manager, International Initiatives at the CBA.